The Best American Burger Joints Across The Country
Burgers are one of the most popular foods in America. The ground beef, buns, toppings, and condiments are delicious meals that have left people passionate about which restaurant in the country churns out the best burger.
Thankfully, this list rounds up some of the best burger joints across the United States! From Bub's NOLA in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Boston Burger Company in Boston, Massachusetts, these restaurants' burgers are on another level.
Bless Your Heart Burgers, Portland, Oregon
With five burgers on the menu, including "The Love Burger," which donates a portion of its proceeds to the Neighborhood House, Bless Your Heart Burgers in Portland, Oregon, is a must-try for any burger lover.
The burgers are the perfect combination of crispy, messy, and absolutely delicious stacked on a potato roll with Duke's special mayonnaise, onions, lettuce, tomato, and more.
Earnestine & Hazel's, Memphis, Tennessee
The Soul Burger served at Earnestine & Hazel's in Memphis, Tennessee proves that sometimes simple is the best way to go about making a stellar burger. Selling only one thing, the Soul Burger is nothing more than a greasy patty cooked on a well-worn griddle, piled with onion, cheese, pickles, and Soul Sauce.
According to Earnestine & Hazel's website, "if you don't think that’s enough, pay $30 bucks for a fancy burger somewhere else. Then come back to Earnestine and Hazel’s, repent for your sins, and munch on the Soul Burger’s delicious simplicity."
Fatso's Last Stand, Chicago, Illinois
Old picnic tables, late-night weekend hours, and delicious Ooey Gooey burgers make Fatso's Last Stand one of the most popular burger places in Chicago, Illinois.
At Fatso's, customers can expect a fantastic burger each time, whether it's a traditional single Fatso or an Ooey Gooey double with cheese-stuffed patties, onion, Fastso sauce, lettuce, and tomato.
Brooks' Sandwich House, Charlotte, North Carolina
Brooks' Sandwich House in Charlotte, North Carolina, went back to the basics when it comes to their simple menu. They don't offer anything fancy, but their classic cheeseburger and hamburgers have locals lining up for a juicy and delicious meal.
A cash-only establishment, Brooks' Sandwich House has been in business since 1973.
The Cherry Cricket, Denver, Colorado
The Cherry Cricket in Denver, Colorado, takes pride in being a build-it-yourself joint, even though they do have a burger of the month.
Even so, the best burger is one that a customer builds to their exact specifications, and with 39 different toppings to choose from, such as eggs and crispy onion strings, they're sure to enjoy one of the best burgers of their life.
The Balboa Bar And Grill, San Diego, California
The Balboa Bar and Grill in San Diego, California, is a local waterhole. People flock to enjoy owner Tom Logsdon's burgers, of which he has four to choose from.
Whether someone decides on a BBQ bacon burger or the classic burger, patrons can expect mouth-watering meat piled high with lettuce, tomato, and melted cheese on top of a fresh bolillo bun.
Duke's Grocery, Washington, DC
The burgers served at Duke's Grocery in Washington, DC, have shot the local pub to stardom in the city. With many burgers on their menu, one of the most popular is Duke's Grocery's signature burger called the Proper Burger.
It comes with melted gouda cheese, charred red onion, garlic aioli, sweet chili sauce, and Angus beef; all piled on top of a brioche bun.
Fred's Meat & Bread, Atlanta, Georgia
While Fred's Meat & Cheese in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a lot more than just burgers, the Burger Stack is undoubtedly one of the best options on the menu.
A simple burger with mayonnaise, bread and butter pickles, and cheese, one critic said it tasted "like a grilled cheese with meat inside it."
Chris Madrid's, San Antonio, Texas
Since Chris Madrid's has been voted the best burger joint in San Antonio, Texas, not once but twice, it is safe to say they have some of the best around.
Opened in 1977, Chris Madrid's has since become a local staple, serving large "macho-sized" burgers, such as their signature Tostado Burger, complete with refried beans, chips, and homemade salsa.
Bill's Hamburgers, Los Angeles, California
Nothing says old-fashioned burger joint quite like Bill's Hamburgers in Los Angeles, California. A counter-service restaurant, Bill's Hamburgers offers nothing but greasy burgers and a friendly vibe.
Owner Bill Elwell has been flipping burgers at his joint since 1965 and is something of a local legend in the area surrounding the roadside stand.
Boston Burger Company, Boston, Massachusetts
According to their website, Boston Burger Company offers "Inventive burgers, imaginative toppings & signature sauces served in vibrant, cozy quarters." Located in Boston, Massachusetts, they aren't kidding when they say their burgers are inventive.
The menu features options such as the Killer Bee burger, which is piled high with beer-battered onion rings, honey, bacon, American cheese, and BBQ sauce.
Bub's NOLA, New Orleans, Louisiana
Bub's NOLA in New Orleans, Louisiana, has a menu featuring eight different and interesting burgers, including a "Peanut Bubber." According to the restaurant's website, this particular burger features "Two all-beef patties, American cheese, Neuske's Bacon, Creamy Peanut Butter on a toasted brioche bun."
Starting as nothing more than a pop-up stand and food truck in 2020, Bub's NOLA became popular enough for the owners to open a brick-and-mortar location!
Maple & Motor, Dallas, Texas
Located in a former gas station, Maple & Motor has been operating in Dallas, Texas, since 2009. While this restaurant offers a few sandwiches on its menu, patrons typically flock here for one of two things -- a cheeseburger or a traditional hamburger.
Customers are able to add various toppings, but Maple & Motor decided to go back to the basics with mustard, red onion, lettuce, pickles, and cheese.
The Friendly, San Diego, California
While San Diego's The Friendly might be a pizza place, it offers up some of the best burgers in North Park. Crispy edges with a juicy pink middle, the char-grilled patties are only the beginning of these delicious burgers.
For Oktoberfest, The Friendly constructed an $8 masterpiece of two smashed patties with two slices of cheese, butter braised onions, bacon braised sauerkraut, and mustard.
Keller's Drive-In, Dallas, Texas
Keller's Drive-In is nothing fancy, but when the burgers are $3 and delicious, customers don't seem to mind.
Located in Dallas, Texas, Keller's is an old-school drive-in dinner where patrons can hang out with their families and enjoy a bit of charm while waiting for their classic cheeseburger and French fries.
Gertie's Whiskey Bar, Nashville, Tennessee
Gertie's Whiskey Bar is home to some of the finest whiskey in Nashville, Tennessee. But underneath the premiere bar is 404 Kitchen, home to one of the best burgers in the city.
While the burgers are not cheap at over $20, it's worth it for the Bear Creek Farms beef that is dry-aged for a month before making its way onto the griddle and a fresh potato bun.
Grill Marks, Greenville, South Carolina
Voted the Best Burgers in the Upstate, Grill Marks in Greenville, South Carolina, is a master when it comes to any and all things revolving around burgers and milkshakes. The specialty burgers range from the Hot Mess topped with chili to the Smash It with carnalized onions.
Of course, there is no ordering a burger without getting one of their "FreakShakes" on the side!
Hubcap Grill, Houston, Texas
Window-Service, daily hand-formed patties, and beef that is never frozen, Hubcap Grill in Houston, Texas, is the spot to go for a delicious and fresh burger.
The grill has a few options to choose from, including the interesting waffle burger, complete with waffles instead of a traditional bun, bacon, and melted cheese.
Palace Diner, Biddeford, Maine
Located in a railcar in Biddeford, Maine, Palace Diner is known for its long line of patrons, thanks to only 15 seats at the counter. Even so, the wait is worth the greasy griddle-fresh Palais Royale burger.
The burger is pretty simple with a double patty, cheddar cheese, pickles, sliced iceberg lettuce, and Palace Diner's secret sauce.
Bud's Cafe & Bar, Sedalia, Colorado
Walking into Bud's Cafe & Bar in Sedalia, Colorado, patrons shouldn't expect a fancy establishment. This bar-bones restaurant is as simple as it gets and is good at what it does -- churning out greasy, messy, and delicious cheeseburgers.
Customers have two options when ordering: cheese or no cheese and a single or double patty. Even so, the burgers are arguably some of the best found in the west.
Grind Burger Kitchen, Louisville, Kentucky
Starting out as a food truck, Grind Burger Kitchen's popularity soared in Louisville, Kentucky, and it is now a brick-and-mortar location. With a fairly simple menu, customers can choose from five burger options, including the B&B.
This burger has gooey brie cheese, bacon, and smoked habanero jam. Amazingly, there is no option to add anything to this burger. The establishment swears by the combination!
Spot Gourmet Burgers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spot Gourmet Burgers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has ten gourmet burger options made of sirloin, ground chicken, or a veggie patty option. Patrons can expect a juicy and delicious burger, topped off with items such as fried eggs, bacon, fire-roasted red peppers, and even truffle balsamic reduction.
A popular food cart in the city, Spot finally got its own brick-and-mortar location and became the Winner of ReWrapped on Food Network.
Matt's Bar, Minneapolis, Minnesota
A cash-only burger joint that's been a landmark in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 1954, Matt's Bar has some of the best burgers in town.
Home of their famous Juicy Lucy burger, customers can expect to be told to wait and eat their purchase, allowing the patty to cool and set to just the right temperature before biting into the grilled onions, a dill pickle, melted cheese, and special sauce.
Loretta's Northwesterner, Seattle, Washington
Located in Seattle, Washington, Loretta's Northwesterner might serve fast-food-looking burgers, but after one bite, customers realize they're anything but simple. Charred to perfection, Loretta's Northwesterner offers a menu of four burgers, not including some vegetarian options, and each is as delicious as the next.
With gooey cheese, raw onions, and their special sauce, it is hard to go wrong when ordering at Loretta's Northwesterner.
Miller's Bar, Dearborn, Michigan
Open since 1941, Miller's Bar has been named one of the top 10 Burger spots in Southeast Michigan by The Food and Wine magazine.
With their "world-famous "Ground Round," Miller's Bar doesn't need the frills and numerous topping options to get customers in the door, only their perfectly cooked burgers with Velveeta cheese and onions.
Nation, Cincinnati, Ohio
Nation in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one stop that should be on any burger-lovers bucket list.
With six burgers on the menu, customers can enjoy burgers ranging from a spicy black beans burger with sriracha and avocado to a quesadilla burger with queso and pico de gallo in a crispy tortilla.
Gilbert's 17th Street Grill, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Tucked in a Fort Lauderdale strip mall in Florida, Gilbert's 17th Street Grill is a local gem. A family-run joint, Gilbert's 17th Street Grill serves up perfectly seasoned, half-pound patties of Certified Angus Beef, making it one of the best joints in town.
If customers are looking for something a bit different, Gilbert's also serves up a blue cheese-stuffed burger and even a Cajun-style patty!
NFA Burger, Dunwoody, Georgia
Located in a gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia, NFA Burger is one of those hidden gems locals love.
With a limited menu, NFA Burger patrons can expect a finely grilled patty each time, complete with a caramelized exterior and delicious toppings, including American cheese, Mt. Olive pickles, mustard, and NFA's signature Sassy Sauce.
Nic's Grill, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
A tiny hometown diner located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Nic's Grill serves up one of the best burgers in the state.
People should expect to wait in line at this particular joint. But it's well worth the wait for "an impossibly large and overwhelmingly delicious mess," as said by Thrillest writer Kevin Alexander.
Peter Luger, Brooklyn, New York
People who find themselves at Peter Luger in Brooklyn, New York, need to bypass the steak selections and go straight to the restaurants Luger-Burger. A half-pound of USDA Prime dry-aged beef cooked medium rare; the burger is set on a sesame bun with raw onion.
Amazingly, patrons are recommended to forego adding cheese since the flavors of the meat are juicy and delicious.